Have you ever wondered How do you cook bacon in the oven? Good news! All you need is bacon, a metal baking sheet, and a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for the perfect result oven baked bacon every time.
Whether you like crispy bacon or thick and chewy bacon, Cooking bacon in the oven is foolproof and truly the best way to cook bacon ever!
Best Bacon in the Oven (Any Thickness!)
Want to get perfectly cooked, chewy bacon every time you cook it? Baking bacon really is the best way to make foolproof bacon.
Cooking bacon in the oven is easier than you think, and we’ll show you how. To cook bacon in the oven, all you need is your favorite piece of bacon, a wire rack and a baking sheet.
The DL on cooking bacon in the oven
There are many different ways to cook bacon. You can pan fry it, air fry it, grill it… You can even heat it in the microwave. But the best way to cook bacon is undoubtedly in the oven. Here’s why:
Hands off: No searing or turning is required. Once you spread your bacon out on the rack, pop it in the oven until done!
Less Chaos: No splatter means super easy cleanup! When you cook bacon on the stovetop, the bacon grease literally gets everywhere. When cooking in the oven, the fat drips onto the aluminum foil and is easy to clean!
Cook a lot at once: Instead of cooking your bacon in batches on the stove, you can cook up to 2 pounds. at once, depending on the size of your oven. It really is perfect for cooking for a crowd.
Perfect every time: The bacon cooks super evenly and your bacon comes out literally perfect every time.
What you need for bacon in the oven
Before we get started on the actual recipe, there are a few things you’ll need for baking bacon in the oven. First and foremost… BACON.
bacon
Bacon is the only ingredient you need to cook perfectly baked bacon. Crazy, right? There are many different types of bacon on the market and honestly it all comes down to preference.
Are you more the thin and crispy bacon type or thick and chewy bacon type? Whatever kind you prefer, they all work! My only advice is to spend a little more money to buy quality bacon that’s free of nitrates and additives.
Different types of bacon that you can use
Here are the different types of bacon you can buy:
- Thin: for ultra-fast cooking of crispy bacon
- Middle: for the perfect intermediate bacon
- Thick: for a thicker, chewy bacon
Metal baking stand
A metal baking rack is an important part of this recipe, so don’t skip it! The benefit of using a metal baking sheet is that it cooks the bacon more evenly as the fat falls from the bacon onto the baking sheet.
Imagine bacon sizzling in its own fat on the stove. It is easier to form blisters, curls and burning.
If you cook the bacon on a metal rack, the fat will fall to the bottom and the bacon can cook more evenly.
Do I have to use a metal baking rack? We used this recipe without the metal baking rack and it still works. However, the bacon doesn’t cook evenly and it’s a bit messy because the bacon is in the bacon fat.
baking sheet (with aluminum foil)
Whatever you do, don’t forget the baking sheet with foil. The baking sheet will catch any fat as it falls off the meat. If you forget the baking sheet, it will drip all over your oven and no one enjoys it.
pro tip
Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil so you can easily remove the bacon grease after it has set, making cleanup easier!
How to bake bacon
Who’s ready for the world’s most perfect oven-baked bacon? This is an easy, foolproof guide to baking bacon in the oven. best part? Breakfast is served in less than 30 minutes!
- First, preheat your oven to 400°F, then line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Then place a metal baking rack on top of the aluminum foil.
- Next, place each strip of bacon on the bacon stand. Be careful not to overlap any of the bacon pieces. However, they can touch each other as they shrink a bit when cooked.
- Then place the baking sheet in the oven and use the following baking times depending on the thickness of your bacon:
- Thin: 10-15 minutes
- Middle: 15-20 minutes
- Thick: 20-25 minutes
Once your bacon is the consistency you want, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Next, place the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate and use a few more pieces of paper towel to wipe away any excess fat.
Keep an eye on the price!
Be sure to keep an eye on your bacon so it doesn’t burn. Nobody likes burnt bacon! …or maybe they do 😛
Frequently asked questions about baking bacon
How long do you cook bacon in the oven?
Cook the bacon in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15-20 minutes to obtain a medium sized bacon.
How do you know the bacon is done?
You’ll know your bacon is done when it turns a darker color and feels firm.
Should you turn bacon in the oven?
Thanks to the wire rack, you don’t have to turn your bacon while baking in the oven. The grate provides heat circulation so you don’t have to turn it over.
Can I bake bacon in the oven without foil?
Yes, you can cook bacon in the oven without foil, but cleaning it up won’t be as easy. The foil allows you to keep the baking sheet free of bacon fat. So if you don’t use foil, cleaning is more complex.
5 tips to cook bacon PERFECTLY in the oven every time
- oven temperature: Make sure you cook your bacon at a higher temperature. We’ve found that 400°F is just right for baking bacon.
- Wire Baking Rack: A wire baking rack is not only important for even cooking, but it also makes your life a lot easier when removing the bacon grease.
- Keep an eye on the price: Bacon can go from perfectly cooked to perfectly burned very quickly. Be careful not to overcook your bacon!
- High Quality Bacon: Your bacon is important. Buy nitrate-free, local bacon whenever possible. Not only does it cook better, it tastes better too!
- It depends on the thickness of the bacon: We undoubtedly prefer thick-cut bacon when baking bacon. It will be chewy and slightly crunchy. But if you love super crispy bacon, be sure to buy something thinner or more medium cut!
Healthy breakfast combinations
Because every piece of bacon deserves to be served alongside something tasty. Here are some easy breakfast combinations to eat your baked bacon with!
How to store cooked bacon
Allow the bacon to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
How to reheat cooked bacon
The easiest way to reheat cooked bacon is in the microwave. Place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate. Then place a piece of paper towel on top.
Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds until hot.
What to do with leftover bacon?
Can you freeze cooked bacon?
You can easily freeze cooked bacon. First let it cool down completely. Then place in a freezer-safe gallon-sized bag, removing as much air as possible and sealing. Keeps in the freezer up to 3 months.
Photography: The photos captured in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.